NEDA, DoTr to work on airports’ design, funding

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) on designing and funding airport projects to be implemented under the government’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure program. According to NEDA Assistant Secretary Jonathan Uy, these projects will mostly use public funds. The Transportation department, however, is also eyeing private-sector participation. The airports are Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte province, Busuanga Airport in Palawan province, International Airport in Aklan province, New Leyte-Tacloban Airport in Leyte province, and Calbayog Airport in Samar province. Building them will cost more than P15 billion, according to NEDA data. Coordinating with the DoTr is one way to speed up the airports’ construction, Uy said. Projects up for completion should be reviewed to avoid further delays, he added. In an earlier report, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said right-of-way issues, contractors falling behind schedule, and late fund disbursements. Thirty-five projects are set to be finished until June 2022. Of these, only seven, led by the National Government Administration Center in Tarlac province’s Capas town, have begun construction. Loading… Loading…